Reviewed by Simon Carpenter

My only reservations about this recording were on the size of the choir. Just five singers, admittedly some of the best early music specialists around, were used. Small even by Pro Cantione Antiqua standards. However, just a few notes into the first track, the sublime 17th century "Advent Prose" and I realised that my fears had been unfounded. This is a wonderfully atmospheric and beautifully sung interpretation of what the sleeve notes rightly describe as "the living traditional music of Christianity." Its roots lie in the Jewish practice of chanting aloud the Psalms and other books of the Bible. The 22 tracks on this CD take the listener through a selection of chants from all the seasons in the church's year, from Advent to Easter in turn. This music is a Serious Listening Experience. Play it in the dark and let its timelessness and beauty, and that of our God who inspired it, wash over you.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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